Load mitigation for wind turbines by a passive aeroelastic device

This paper conducts a preliminary investigation of a novel passive concept for the mitigation of loads on wind turbines. The device, which can be implemented as a flap or a pitching blade tip, moves passively in response to blade vibrations, opposing them, thereby yielding an attenuation of loads. In comparison to active load mitigation devices, such as active flaps, this solution has the advantage of not requiring sensors nor actuators, resulting in a particularly simple implementation, with potential benefits in manufacturing and maintenance costs, as well as in reliability and availability. The paper first describes the novel passive device, here implemented by means of a flap, highlighting its main characteristics. A proof of concept of the new idea is then given by a simulation study conducted with the combination of a sectional model of the flap and an aeroservoelastic multibody model of the rest of the machine. Results, obtained for a 10 MW wind turbine, indicate the ability of the passive flap in attenuating blade vibrations in a significant frequency range, which in turn yield a reduced fatigue damage to the structure without noticeable effects in terms of power production and ultimate loads. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.